Here we go! The impending holidays can turn even the calmest of us into stress balls. If you’re anxious &
overwhelmed, so is your pet. We hope to put you @ ease with the info in this post. Refer back to it often in the next 2 months, ideally before you or your pets are @ wit’s end!
- Breathe easy. In a recent post we discussed how routine changes affect your pet. Exercise is a great stress-buster for pets & humans, alike. Conscious breathing is also calming. (Think yoga or meditation.) We love Real Simple’s “How to Relax and Breathe” (video & article). You can use these techniques anywhere, anytime – no matter how busy you are. Your pet mirrors your energy level & state-of-mind. To calm your pet, calm yourself. And get moving – schedule time to play or walk with your pet in the lovely fall weather!
- Want more ideas on beating stress? We also love Real Simple’s articles: “Manage Your Stress”; “Relax in an Instant“; and their reader poll, “How Do You De-stress During the Holidays?“.
- The fewer H1N1 worries, the better. Are your pets safe from this flu? We recommend: Be informed about H1N1 @ your pet, but don’t panic. Check avma.org for updates; take measures to keep you & your pet healthy; and talk with your vet. Read more from chicagotribune.com. (Note: We updated these “swine flu” links on 11/22/09.)
- House training woes? We’re checking in on this subject again because it’s so common for pets to house soil in the winter. Small breeds; puppies who haven’t experienced a winter before; unreliably house trained dogs; and indoor/outdoor cats are all likely to regress in their house training. Get a handle on this now – before your guests arrive for Thanksgiving! Contact us for help.
Laughter is great medicine. Relax & enjoy these videos: A sneezing baby panda & baby elephant demonstrate that the sniffles can be cute. (Tell yourself that if you catch a cold this season.) And – breaking news: Apparently Bo Obama’s house training isn’t going well on Air Force One. The Washington Post & NBC’s Brian Williams report. Oops!
© 2009 Critter Consulting
